393.115/301: Telegram
The Consul General at Shanghai (Lochhart) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 4—9:30 a.m.]
779. My May 31.40
- 1.
- Japanese Consul General has sent to me a letter referring to the
notification contained in my May 30 and stating that:
“While it is the intention of the Japanese Navy to wipe out the remnants of the Chinese defeated troops throughout the southern parts of Shantung Province and the areas along the railway of Lunghai, the remnants of the defeated troops have frequently been found in the vicinity of many hurriedly made posts, scattered extensively in the above mentioned districts, flying the flags of the third powers, one of which is American, thus causing a great deal of inconvenience to the Japanese Navy in their aerial attack on the Chinese forces. Moreover, it is quite clear that most of the flags thus flown are being abused by the Chinese troops.
With a view to protecting genuine foreign properties, I, therefore, have the honour to request you to be good enough to send me as soon as possible all available information, if possible together with three copies of maps, as to exact locations of properties of the United States of America, both private and Government owned, in the above mentioned districts.”
- 2.
- This office in acknowledging receipt of the Japanese Consul General’s letters of May 30 and June 2 is pointing out that in a letter dated August 26, 1937, addressed to the Japanese Consulate General, a list was enclosed of all American property in this consular district and that on May 28 information concerning the property of the American Church Mission at Anking, Anhwei, was again furnished to the Japanese authorities at the request of the mission. However, in replying to these letters I am again stressing the fact that regardless of whether the location of American property has or has not been notified to the Japanese authorities full responsibility rests upon them for the protection and safeguarding of American lives and properties.
- Not printed.↩